15 Types of Tables: Detailing Their Form and Function

There are many types of tables that are indispensable in everyday life. All types of tables serve us as utilitarian pieces that support the functions of our lives. But tables are so much more than that. From elegant dining tables that provide a focal point for family gatherings to coffee tables that anchor the living room furniture, tables are a way to reflect our personalities and lifestyle choices.

types of tables

The world of tables is rich and diverse, encompassing table types that range from classic to contemporary and from refined to rustic. Exploring all the types of diverse tables will guide you toward understanding how tables can support and enhance the flow and form of your home.

Types of Tables

Various types of tables serve different functions and cater to diverse needs. Some are specialized for unique functions, while others support a range of activities.


Dining Table

Dining Table

Dining tables are large tables that are used for communal meals. Not everyone will require a dedicated dining table. Consider purchasing a dining table if you enjoy sharing meals with family and friends, prefer a more formal dining experience, or want to improve the aesthetics of your dining space. Dining tables are large surfaces that are versatile for other functions like work tables, playing stationary board games, and working puzzles.

Dining tables come in a variety of shapes, such as rectangular, round, oval, and square. When selecting a dining table, consider the size of the room, the number of people you need to seat, the style of the room, and the type of dining chairs you want.


Coffee Table

Coffee Table

A coffee table is a versatile piece of furniture that serves both aesthetic and functional purposes in a living room or other spaces for relaxation. Its primary function is to provide a flat and stable surface for placing items like books or drinks within easy reach of the seating. Coffee tables also function as a focal point around which to anchor a seating area.

Coffee tables are available in a wide range of designs and styles to complement many room designs. You can find a coffee table that just enhances the aesthetics of the room or enhances the storage or function of your seating space. Always choose a coffee table in relation to the size of the room and the amount of seating.


End Table

End Table

An end table, also known as a side table, is a small table that sits at the end or on the side of other furniture like sofas and chairs. The primary purpose of an end table is to provide an easily accessible surface for essential daily activities. Whether supporting reading lamps for seating areas, a flat surface for placing items like books or phones, or lower shelves and drawers for adding storage to seating areas, end tables add functionality and comfort to living spaces. Available in a variety of sizes, shapes, and design styles, you can find diverse end tables for every area where you want to enhance the seating area.


Console Table

Console Table

Console tables are versatile pieces of furniture that are designed to be placed against a wall. Console tables feature a long and narrow table top with an open or closed bottom. Console tables are useful in hallways, foyers, dining rooms, living rooms, and even bedrooms. They are ideal for bringing functionality and style to a variety of spaces by providing storage and a focal point along a narrow wall. Console tables are also useful for dividing space, extending your workspace, serving as a bedroom vanity, showcasing ornamental items, and providing an additional surface for serving food.


Bedside Table

Bedside Table

A bedside table, also known as a nightstand, is a small table that sits beside the bed. Bedside tables serve as a convenient resting place for nighttime necessities such as books, phones, clocks, and lamps. Many bedside tables include open or concealed storage for personal items such as medications, reading glasses, and other electronic devices. Many modern bedside tables also have amplified features that enhance the functionality of the bedroom space, including changing stations and pull-out trays.


Nesting Tables

Nesting Tables

Nesting tables are a collection of identically shaped tables in graduated sizes that fit inside one another. Depending on their size, this collection of tables can be utilized as side tables or coffee tables. Nesting tables combine multiple tables into a single footprint, thereby saving space. They are useful because you can pull out multiple tables to accommodate more guests as needed. Nesting tables are available in a variety of styles. They add a stylish look and more function to any seating area.


Outdoor Table

Outdoor Table

An outdoor table is one that is intended for use in outdoor areas such as patios, decks, gardens, and poolside areas. Outdoor tables are made from specialized materials that are resistant to outdoor environmental conditions, such as teak, aluminum, wrought iron, and plastic. Available in diverse sizes and shapes, common outdoor table types include coffee tables, dining tables, side tables, and serving tables. Some have foldable elements or other portable features so that you can store them during the winter season. Others are meant to remain outdoors throughout the year.


High-Top Table

High-Top Table

A high-top table, also known as a bar or pub table, is a tall table designed for use in a variety of settings, including restaurants, casual home dining rooms, and kitchens. The elevated height characterizes the design of high-top tables. They are available in a variety of shapes, including round, rectangular, and square. They also vary by height and size. These tables are especially useful in rooms with limited dining space because bar stools fit easily under the top and save valuable floor space.


Drink Table

Drink Table

A drink table is a small table that fits next to a chair or sofa. This table is intended to hold small items such as a drink, a phone, or a single book. Drink tables come in a variety of shapes and sizes, allowing you to easily customize and enhance your seating area. Their size makes them portable, so users can bring them out and move them to optimal areas as needed.


Pedestal Table

Pedestal Table

A pedestal table is distinguished by the use of a single, or sometimes double, central pedestal rather than multiple legs. Pedestal tables come in a range of sizes, so they can serve multiple purposes, including as coffee tables, dining tables, and side tables. Although pedestal tables have a long history, they are still used in many contemporary table designs, such as the well-known Tulip table. You can find pedestal tables in many shapes, like round, oval, and square. Pedestal tables are ideal for dining rooms because they do not have multiple side legs that obstruct chair movement. They also make cleaning easier because there are no legs to maneuver around.


Expandable Table

Expandable Table

An expandable table, also known as an extension table, is distinguished by a mechanism that increases the table’s surface area. This could include the manual installation of table sections into the opening or a hinged arrangement that folds the extra section on top of another when not in use.

This is a particularly useful design for dining tables. This means you can use it for large dining parties, even if your room is not normally large enough for a large table. An expandable design is also useful for incidental tables, such as side tables, when entertaining large groups of people. Expandable tables are available in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and materials.


Cocktail Table

Cocktail Table

A cocktail table is a type of table that is useful for serving drinks and light snacks. In its most general use, the term cocktail table is used to describe high round or square tables that are popular at party venues. These tables’ height is ideal for people mingling at parties because they do not require chairs, which obstruct the free flow of traffic. Many furniture companies now also use the term cocktail table to refer to low tables that are similar to coffee tables because they are both useful for setting and serving drinks.


Dressing Table

Dressing Table

Dressing tables, also known as vanities, are small tables that serve as a dedicated space for personal grooming and preparation. These tables, found in bedrooms or dressing rooms, often have attached mirrors to provide a clear view of the face and hair. They also might have storage compartments like drawers, cubbies, or shelves to store cosmetics, lotions, and jewelry. Many dressing tables come with a matching seat or stool that fits below the table.


Conference Table

Conference Table

A conference table is a large, typically rectangular table used in business settings for meetings, discussions, and collaborative projects. Conference tables serve a variety of functional purposes, but their design and material can also be used to project the users’ style and image. They contribute to the professionalism of office spaces and ensure that there is a space dedicated to important team building activities. Modern conference tables are equipped with enhanced features such as integrated ports, chargers, and communication systems. They may also include storage options such as under-table cabinets and drawers to improve conference space organization.